Asante sana squash banana 
oh Lion King.. i love that movie. The whole soundtrack played in my head literally as we visited the lands of Africa. I’m not sure where to start… How do i post about this trip.. I feel like there is much to say but i don’t have the words. The trip was epic to say the least… arriving at our destination was quite an adventure. So, many travel mishaps that have never happened to me in all my years of travel.. telling that story is a whole blog post… haha. But to start there – trivializes the whole mission…though it definitely played a part. There was none like this mission trip to Africa. I fell in love with the land.. the sights, the smells, the air. So.. tonight .. let’s just view the land. I will tell stories at another time. So.. breathe it in.. hopefully i have captured the feel.. the mood.. and you will feel like you are there. -or at least get a sense. There are some pictures i can’t stop looking at… and some pictures that can’t even do the view justice. Enjoy a stroll in Africa through my photography… the first few are from Lake Victoria. (the largest tropical lake in the world). Out my window at the hotel we saw Lake Victoria in the distance.. and monkeys in the backyard. 
ok.. the sunsets were ridic!!! unreal.. but what was even more amazing was since we were on the equator.. this was on the complete opposite side of the sunset. 
yeah.. i don’t even know what to say about the above picture.. and surely you can’t fully grasp the enormity and beauty of that sky… it was glorious.
lazy cheetah, we watched one hunt for awhile.. such a sneaky cheetah crawling through the grass. God made those creatures very patient.. i’m not sure how long it took for him to get his food because we left.. but it was at least 45 min. just to get only half way to the herd he was looking to attack. i’m not sure i could wait that long to eat… 
the africa tree.. i took a thousand photos of these trees.. but i won’t bore you with all of them.. just one 
i hope you have a big screen.. because i don’t know if you can fully appreciate this photo without seeing it as big as possible. This is probably one of my favorite photos.. when we were riding back to Nairobi from Masi Mara – i saw this image… shadows of a Masi family running in the field. In one corner you see an adult figure seemingly holding a child’s hand. You see a woman figure- then you see two kids running back towards the village. It tells a story… i love it. The whole scene i love.. and i was amazed that it even took since we were riding down a bumpy road in a car with dusty windows. It is definitely my favorite photo… feel free to grab it and use it as a screen saver.
Archive for the ‘Missions’ Category
bwana asifiwe | Kenya
July 20, 2010Sills family | Louisville Family Photographer
July 17, 2010Here’s a photoshoot of an amazing family that i have had the privilege to know. This is the first time I have had to meet Abraham… I knew their parents from graduate school at Southern Seminary in Louisville. However, the reason i am doing this photography session is because one of my favorite professors at Southern is Dr. David Sills – the grandpa of Abraham – wanted some pictures of his grandson before he sends this family overseas to help with a new ministry he has started called reaching and teaching. I will be doing a prayer card for them as well… but for now here are some photos from their Louisville Family Photography session. 
The first one.. he so looks like a theologian don’t you think?
Yes, this one is the result of my crazy mind Grandpa will like this one. haha 
KENYA, AFRICA
June 17, 2010just spent two weeks in Kenya with LIA working with street kids and local churches. AH-Mazing…. here is a preview of my time in Africa
Scarlet Hope Ministry | Louisville
May 9, 2010Scarlet Hope is a ministry that exists to show the love of Christ to women in the sex entertainment industry. It came about when a woman (Rachelle) felt burdened and felt led to pray about what she could do to reach these women in this industry. She told her close friends and they began to pray.. three years ago, they walked into a strip club and were able to find favor with the club owners. Since then, Scarlet Hope volunteers go into clubs every week to share the love of Christ through sharing a meal or conversation or fixing hair. The ministry continues to grow.
It’s an amazing ministry in which i am privileged to be a part of on many levels including photography. The leadership team of Scarlet Hope asked me to take some photos that they will use in fundraising and for website purposes. Here is a glimpse of some awesome women who pour themselves out to serve others. Meet Hannah, Rachelle and Sarah – the leadership team of Scarlet Hope. Let me tell you … they rocked the photoshoot out. We had so much fun. I tried to get a similar look to their website.. but some of these are just for fun – i mean, we are girls and there is a camera.. ha. We had to play
rocking the shoes!!
The colors for scarlet hope are red, white and green. How awesome to find a red garage door.. and a white house with red door, plus great lush green grass.
I mean .. all three of them are gorgeous..so we had to play some and work it for the camera.
This ministry works because the women involved have some great friendships and truly connect with each other – the like-mindedness and unity create a great atmosphere for reaching others for Christ.
I love how much fun they have together.
ok.. who doesn’t love the shoes… i am actually thinking i need some red heels after this photo shoot.. lol!
Lots of laughter 
GORGEOUS!!!
Rachelle is a very strong woman .. but also one of the most compassionate that i know. I love these next two..they show her soft side.
adorable!!
Rocking it out !!
Such a model – the first one is one of my faves!!
I love the look of this photo.. i went a little texture crazy. It’s too bad they are not a singing group.. because this would be the cover.. haha
Absolutely love these women!!
Eventually we will try to get the whole team.. tho it keeps growing daily!!
Scarlet Hope has over 25 volunteers who serve in a variety of ways – from making food, security, needs ministry and the delivery team. If you would like to support Scarlet Hope – please click here and find out how you can be involved.
The Post Worship
March 31, 2010What is The Post? How would you describe it? How would you capture what it is all about? That’s what some of the leadership at the Post are going to try and convey to the rest of the Southeast Church Body and they asked me to help. Here is one of my attempts to capture The Post through images….
The post has been described as a community in motion. But what is this movement… as young adults and college students, one knows what movement is.. You move to college, you move to a job, you move to class, you move – you go here, you go there. There is movement all around you…. The Post is about movement.. but not a directionless going through the motions kind of movement … rather, it is one of purpose, one of direction, one of fulfillment, one of joy, one of satisfaction, one of community, one of intimate relationship, one of newness, one of awe and one of transformation…. a movement only possible in Christ.. in relationship with a Savior who so loved you and I that he died for all of our sin and conquered it’s power. This is the movement of a mighty God.. and a community of servants who join in and celebrate and seek to spread the movement.
Introducing The Post:
a community in motion
Movement towards the cross…
Moving in worship…
movement in intimate communion…
Movement towards new life
Movement to share and grow the community…
a movement of celebration and expectation…
Hope it makes you want to join the movement !!!
This is still a work in progress… sooooooo I Would LOVE your feedback and ideas…. and even your stories of God’s movement in your life!!
Thanks for stopping by
The Post Worship
March 30, 2010My friend, Daniel Dabney – lead pastor at the Post asked me to help him explain to others what the Post is about through Images. He wants to share with the rest of the church body what we do at The Post – and sometimes you can’t explain it just with words. One of the first things, i thought of was communion – a personal time in which you meet with Christ and remember the cross. Here’s a glance at what i have so far.
Would love to hear what images you think helps capture the Post!! Leave me a comment or send me an email…
Missionary Prayer Card Draft
February 26, 2010Lately i have been working on a missionary prayer card for a friend who is going to Poland. Since i have a heart for missions, i want to give back to those that are trying to reach the nations for Christ. So, if someone is in need of a prayer card… please let me know. I am happy to assist them and make a card for them. Here is a draft of one that i am working on…. open to any ideas thanks.
Julie | “singin in the rain”
January 20, 2010Introducing my friend Julie…. i’m kinda partial to her name for obvious reasons. She has a heart for missions and is planning on working overseas in a few months. We decided to get together to work on photos that she can send to family and friends while she is away. We had so much fun… and yes, we kept singing that song (singing in the rain). I’m sorry if that tune is now in your head… because it is totally in mine!!! 
WE thought about canceling because of the rain.. but my friend julie loves umbrellas. I mean LOVES them… ha, i had to make sure it wasn’t in every photo . So, we went around Louisville avoiding the puddles and trying to stay dry. Isn’t she just so cute.
This is her Russian dictator look.
Julie is such a playful person…. i loved it!! She would do any crazy thing i wanted her to do including riding a pretend bike that was painted on this random wall in Louisville.
I love this picture beautiful!!
Let’s see if you can tell what her personality might be like….
You can just imagine how much fun i had being her photographer all around Louisville.
These really show how beautiful she is…
She has an infectious personality.. it’s easy to be drawn to her smile and humor.
Thanks for letting me be your photographer for the day. It was so much fun. You are such a great model …. i have proof.
What Shall I give….
January 19, 2010What is it about us – something deep inside that desires to be a hero. We want to be heroic! We love the hero/heroin when they save the day. Even as a child this was in my mind as i sported around the house in my ‘wonder woman‘ underoos – using cups as arm bands — i had all types of scenarios where i saved the day. I wanted to do something great!! 
i think we all still have that longing inside.. to do something great. Even in my spiritual walk – i have wanted to lay it all down for Christ. I wanted to do something great or just to be great. I still do – i often get caught up in a noble purpose and want to dive in and do great things or to be a hero.
I would have loved to go to Haiti.. to jump into the rubble to search, to hold people who are hurting, to help… why? I love people and i am moved with compassion and that causes me to act. But honestly.. i don’t have the skills.. i only have the love. i don’t necessarily think this is a bad thought to want to do great things and be great… but i think God is changing my perspective here some and my idea on what is great.
Micah 6:6-7
With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Even if I have great things.. great sacrifices… will the Lord be pleased? What shall I give? For whatever i have, it is not great enough. The Lord is teaching this little photographer much in this passage. It can be applied to so much in my life.
I have been blessed with some good skills ( numchuck skills haha.. i mean just in general .. i can do a lot out of my own power. So.. this isn’t always a good thing.. as i perhaps lean on my own abilities too much.
Hmmm.. i am realizing more and more that I can’t do it – I can’t be great on my own. I don’t have the strength. I don’t have the ability. I don’t have the resources to earn favor. I have grown weary with effort to earn or to make something work. One my friend’s told me once – ( after i said, i don’t think i can do relationships.. they are hard.) She said.. “exactly, none of us can.. that’s exactly where you need to be”
John Piper uses this illustration in Future Grace (one of my most favorite books) .
Some hunters use a nut in a jar to capture Monkeys. The monkey seeing the nut will reach inside the jar to grab the nut, but the since the hole isn’t very large, the monkey gets stuck and the hunter can get the monkey. The Monkey will hold on to the nut… gripping it, all of it’s efforts focused on that one thing… and cannot even think to let it go. Because of that, the monkey loses his freedom. He doesn’t get what he desires and is captive to holding onto or striving for something he can’t get. What is it.. just a little nut .. he loses his life striving after a nut (not gonna lie.. i kinda wanna break out into a CC Music Factory Song right now) “It’s your world, and i’m just a squirrel trying to get a nut” HaHa.. do you know that song…
anywayssssss
What shall i give… i cannot give except that which has been given.
vs. 8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
walking humbly with God. I am not great .. he is. The only way i can be great is with Him. I let go of striving.. trying to get what i can’t get on my own… and i simply walk with God. Humbly… loving his mercy and doing the right thing. That is all we are asked .. this is what is GREAT.
I let go of the nut – i stop striving for what cannot be gotten. I give up.. actually. And i walk in glorious freedom humbly with my God. Whatever that looks like.. whatever it means.
REST in his gift.. you can only give what has been given.
What shall i give…
Sneak Peak | Julie
January 18, 2010Julie is a dear friend with a really cool name 
and a heart for missions. So, we got together to work on her prayer card. This is not one we are using… but just wanted to give you a sneak peak at our little afternoon photo shoot in Louisville. Fun. Fun.
i think i was in trouble here or something I’m trying to think of a good caption — she is such a sassy pants love it.